Book excerpt: A Naturalist's Guide to the Birds of India is a photographic identification guide to 280 bird species and 100 closely related species most commonly seen in India. Aimed at first-time birders, it is perfect for resident and visitor alike. High quality photographs from one of India's top nature photographers are accompanied by detailed species descriptions, which include nomenclature, size, distribution, habits, and habitat. The user-friendly introduction covers geography and climate, vegetation, opportunities for naturalists, and the main sites for viewing the listed species. This new 2nd edition includes updated taxonomy and over 300 new images. Also included is an all-important checklist of all of the birds of India encompassing, for each species, its common and scientific name as well as its vernacular name, its status in each state, as well as its global IUCN status.